Miscarriage Support

10 weeks.... Fetus but no heartbeat

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stm288 wrote:

Hey yall. So sad to be joining this group. I went in yesterday for my 10 week sono and to my complete shock there was a fetus measuring 8 weeks 6 day but no heartbeat. Im absolutely devastated. My doc scheduled my d &c for monday. Im worried that that is too far away and I will start miscarrying. What does everyone think? And what can I expect from the d&c? Im so scAred

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm in the same boat. We've had two scans in the last two weeks and both times baby was measuring small. Our last scan baby had grown a little, but was now 2 weeks behind. But, the fetal specialist was still wanting to do another scan next week, even though we've already accepted miscarriage, before we schedule a dnc. I voiced my my doctor that I would rather have a dnc, than natural or pills because although we've accepted the outcome and we've come to terms with it, the experience of feeling everything pass would break me. But they still wanted to wait. Last night I started cramping really bad and have been spotting. I was terrified all night to the point I couldn't sleep. I called the nurse right away this morning and told her everything and I just said "this feels like the end. Like it's over." And I'm terrified to feel it. We've waited so long to have answers, and waited to find a reason to hold on to hope. We've stressed and worried so much the last two weeks, I'm just tired. Done. I want it to be over.

I can't give you any advice about what to expect with the dnc (my doc said it shouldn't take longer than 30 mins, they'll put me under and I can go home as soon as I'm able to pee and my pain is controlled)

But if you're afraid of not making it to your dnc, I'd suggest calling and talking it over with your doc. Maybe they can get you in sooner or provide some reassurance for you.

I found out on Tuesday (I was 14.5 weeks) baby's heart stopped beating. I just had D&E today. My doctor said if I waited to miscarry naturally it could take up to a month.

I was also terrified of miscarrying at home and told my dr. this.

Yesterday at about 1pm. I had my pre-op appointment. She gave me an 800mg ibuprofen. Then Dr. put 3 "dialators" in my cervix to open me up. She put speculum first, then numbing medicine, then the dialators. It hurt a little bit and I got a ringing in my ears that went away after about 5 minutes. I also had some cramping when she did it that lingered about an hour or two after. Then I felt all hot and clammy (probably because I hadn't eaten all day). They made me rest and eat crackers and drink juice until I felt well enough to leave. My parents drove me home.

At 9:30 am I had to report to hospital to check in for 11:30 am surgery. Check in took 30 minutes, then I was in waiting room outside operating area for 45 minutes. Then I was taken back myself to get prepped. They put in and IV, drew some blood, gave me some meds (antibiotics I think). I talked to the nurses, doctor, and anesthesiologist and his assistant. They asked me a bunch of questions (allergies, metal in your body, blood clot issues, etc.) and I could ask them anything I want. (I asked anesthesiologist most questions- I was to be under general anesthesia, meds go through IV, I would need a breathing tube) Then my husband came back to see me one more time before the wheeled me to operating room.

Operating room was cold and I had to scooch off bed onto a really narrow operating table, legs went on stirrups, arms on little side tables, and I had a seat belt around my waist. Anesthesiologist kept cracking jokes - probably to see when I fell asleep. My doctor was very sweet hold and rubbing my arm and telling me she was here and everything was going to be okay. They put and oxygen mask over my face. I had to breathe normally and just when I thought I'd never fall asleep I felt fuzzy and weird and that's the last thing I remember. That was probably 11:30am or noonish. The surgery is supposed to take 20-30 minutes.

I woke up in the recovery room at about 1:20 pm screaming (this is not normal, the only other time I had anesthesia was when I was 14 and my brother and I got our wisdom teeth out. I woke up sobbing and my brother woke up laughing). I think I scared all the nurses. I was having intense cramping pain, felt like I needed to pee urgently, and my throat hurt so bad (breathing tube) I was also freezing. I was screaming "help me! I'm in pain, I have to Pee, I'm freezing, I'm so cold, help me!" Then I started reciting "jabberwocky" a nonsense prom from Alice in wonderland, and then I think the nurses really freaked out. (I usually recite this in my head to calm down, but under anesthetics, it came out loud. Once they got me pain meds, and bed pan, and a ton of blankets, I felt much better and more relaxed. After I ate some crackers and had some juice they let my husband come back to see me. The doctor had already talked to him in the waiting room. The doctors came to see me after too and tell me everything went well and what to expect next. (Period like cramping and bleeding, post opp appt in a week). After I got up to pee in a toilet, I was able to change and leave.

I'm taking ibuprofen for cramping pain, but my throat is what bothers me the most right now.

I hope that helps you to know what to expect. I think if you take it easy until Monday, you should be ok. And if the bleeding or cramping gets worse, call your doctor or just head to ER.

I'm so sorry for your loss! And for the way you woke up, that sounds like it was horrible!

I had my procedure done on wednesday. They didn't have to put a breathing tube in me, though. And they didn't do anything to dilate me until after I was put under. I was just under light anesthesia. I remember laying on the table and having oxygen put on me and the next thing I remember was waking up in recovery about an hour later. They had already given me IV pain meds, so I wasn't in any pain. But they did give me some more about a half hour before they moved me to the OB floor to finish recovery. I asked the nurse how long the procedure took and she said only about 5 minutes.

After I was (mostly) awake, they moved me to the OB floor and said as soon as I eat, drink and pee I would be able to leave. And when I woke up, I was thirsty, hungry AND had to pee so I was able to get out of there pretty quick. They sent me home with pain pills as well as told me to take ibuprofen for breakthrough pain.

Yesterday, I was pretty crampy for most of the day. But I took it really easy and just rested and put a heating pad on my stomach. The spotting comes and goes, but not enough to fill up a pad at all.

Today my cramping has been much, much better. I'm so glad I opted for the dnc. When I asked the dr what it would feel like to do it naturally he said "it's going to hurt like hell, and just when you think you can't take it anymore it all passes and then it's over." That reassured me a little more that I was making the right choice going forward with the procedure.

I hope you continue to heal well! And again, I'm so sorry for your loss.

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